Max Baer Jr., best known for his role as Jethro Bodine on the iconic television series The Beverly Hillbillies, remains the last surviving main cast member of one of America’s most beloved sitcoms. Premiering in 1962, the show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, reaching the top of the television ratings within just three weeks. It ran for nine seasons and produced 274 episodes before concluding in 1971.
Born in Oakland, California, in 1937, Baer Jr. is the son of legendary heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer. Despite having no formal acting training, he earned a business degree from Santa Clara University before moving to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in entertainment. His southern accent for Jethro Bodine was self-taught, developed by closely studying performances from actors such as Andy Griffith.
Baer Jr. embraced Jethro’s exaggerated innocence and physical comedy, once remarking that it didn’t matter whether audiences laughed with him or at him—as long as they laughed. That philosophy helped cement the character as one of the most memorable in television history.
Following the end of The Beverly Hillbillies, Baer Jr. faced the challenges of typecasting but successfully transitioned behind the camera. He reinvented himself as a producer and director, achieving notable success with the 1974 film Macon County Line, which became the most profitable independent film of its year.
In 1991, Baer Jr. purchased the rights to The Beverly Hillbillies name from CBS, envisioning a series of themed casinos and entertainment venues. While those ambitions encountered legal obstacles—including a high-profile lawsuit against CBS in 2014—his determination to expand the brand underscored his entrepreneurial drive.
In his personal life, Baer Jr. married Joanne Kathleen Hill in 1966; the couple divorced in 1971. He later had a long-term relationship with model Chere Rhodes, who passed away in 2008.
Now 85, Max Baer Jr. continues to be celebrated for his contribution to television history. His career reflects adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to take risks—both on screen and beyond. While his business ventures faced setbacks, his impact on American pop culture remains firmly intact.